Meet the United States women's freestyle team competing at the Wrestling World Cup this week

Cody Goodwin, Des Moines Register
·7 min read

Some of the best women's wrestlers in America will represent the red, white, and blue this week at Xtream Arena in Coralville.

United World Wrestling's Women's Freestyle World Cup is coming to Johnson County this Saturday and Sunday. It will run alongside the Men's Freestyle World Cup for the first time ever, and both events will feature some of the world's best wrestlers competing in a dual-style competition for international supremacy.

The U.S. women have won the Women's Freestyle World Cup only once, in 2003, but have finished second four times: in 2008, 2010-11, and in 2019. Japan leads all countries with 11 Women's Freestyle World Cup titles while China has won six — including three times over the U.S. in the final.

Team USA qualified for the Women's Freestyle World Cup after finishing second in the team race at the 2022 Senior world championships last month in Belgrade, Serbia. Many of the same wrestlers who contributed to that stellar team finish will lead the U.S this weekend against some of the world's top women's freestyle wrestlers.

Amit Elor, the 18-year-old world champ, is among the stars for the U.S. women's team. Kayla Miracle, a two-time world silver medalist, and Mallory Velte, a two-time world bronze medalist, are also on the roster. Felicity Taylor, a member of the Iowa women's wrestling team and U23 world-teamer, will rep USA this weekend as well.

The U.S. was paired into Group B and will wrestle China, which finished third at the 2022 world championships, and the All-World team, made up of high-level wrestlers from various countries, on Saturday. If the Americans win, they'll wrestle Japan, Mongolia or Ukraine in a placement dual meet on Sunday.

Here, we've listed the full 19-woman roster for Team USA, complete with weight, current club, notable accolades, and more.

RELATED:How Coralville and Xtream Arena became America’s wrestling hotspot

Erin Golston

  • Weight: 50 kilograms

  • College: University of Colorado at Colorado Springs

  • Club: New York AC

  • Hometown: Lake of the Hills, Ill.

  • Age: 29

2022 Senior National Team member. Finished third in the 2022 world team trials. 2022 U.S. Open champion. Two-time Junior world bronze medalist, in 2011-12.

Alyssa Lampe

  • Weight: 50 kilograms

  • College: Northern Michigan

  • Club: Beaver Dam RTC

  • Hometown: Tomahawk, Wis.

  • Age: 34

Two-time Senior world bronze medalist, in 2012-13. Five-time Senior World Team member. Finished second in the 2022 world team trials. Two-time Junior world bronze medalist, in 2007-08. Four-time U.S. Open champion.

Alyssa Lampe, right, has her hand raised after scoring a fall against Erin Golston at 50 kg during the final session of the USA Wrestling World Team Trials Challenge Tournament on May 22 at Xtream Arena in Coralville.
Alyssa Lampe, right, has her hand raised after scoring a fall against Erin Golston at 50 kg during the final session of the USA Wrestling World Team Trials Challenge Tournament on May 22 at Xtream Arena in Coralville.

Felicity Taylor

  • Weight: 53 kilograms

  • College: McKendree/Iowa

  • Club: Hawkeye Wrestling Club

  • Hometown: Spillville, Iowa

  • Age: 22

2022 U.S. Open champion. Finished second in the 2022 world team trials. Two-time U23 world team member. Took fifth at the 2022 U23 world championships. 2021 NCAA women's national champion. Four-time women's college national finalist. Current wrestler for the Iowa women's program.

MORE:Iowa native Felicity Taylor is transferring to join the Iowa women’s wrestling program

Felicity Taylor looks up into the crowd during an NCAA men's wrestling dual between Iowa and California Baptist on Nov. 13 at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City.
Felicity Taylor looks up into the crowd during an NCAA men's wrestling dual between Iowa and California Baptist on Nov. 13 at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City.

Ronna Gross

  • Weight: 53 kilograms

  • College: Grays Harbor College

  • Club: Sunkist Kids

  • Hometown: Brookings, S.D.

  • Age: 23

2022 Senior National Team member. 2021 U23 world team member. 2021 Olympic Trials runner-up and world team trials runner-up. Three-time Junior world team member. Two-time Cadet world medalist, winning gold in 2015 and silver in 2016. Current assistant coach for the UW-Stevens Point women's program.

Ronna Gross speaks during a press conference before RUDIS Wrestling Super Match 1 on March 15 at the Sound Board Theater in MotorCity Casino in Detroit, Mich.
Ronna Gross speaks during a press conference before RUDIS Wrestling Super Match 1 on March 15 at the Sound Board Theater in MotorCity Casino in Detroit, Mich.

Jacarra Winchester

  • Weight: 55 kilograms

  • College: Missouri Valley

  • Club: Titan Mercury WC

  • Hometown: San Lorenzo, Calif.

  • Age: 30

2019 Senior world champion. 2020 Olympian. Three-time Senior World Team member. Two-time U.S. Open champion. 2014 University world bronze medalist. 2015 college national champion.

Jacarra Winchester reacts after winning at 55 kg during the final session of the USA Wrestling World Team Trials Challenge Tournament on May 22 at Xtream Arena in Coralville.
Jacarra Winchester reacts after winning at 55 kg during the final session of the USA Wrestling World Team Trials Challenge Tournament on May 22 at Xtream Arena in Coralville.

Jenna Burkert

  • Weight: 55 kilograms

  • College: University of Colorado Colorado Springs/Northern Michigan

  • Club: U.S. Army WCAP

  • Hometown: Rocky Point, N.Y.

  • Age: 29

2021 Senior world bronze medalist. 2020 Olympic Trials runner-up. Four-time Senior World Team member. 2017 U.S. Open champion. Three-time Junior world team member.

Jenna Burkert reacts after scoring a fall in the championship tournament finals at 57 kg during the second session of the USA Wrestling Olympic Team Trials, Friday, April 2, 2021, at Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, Texas.
Jenna Burkert reacts after scoring a fall in the championship tournament finals at 57 kg during the second session of the USA Wrestling Olympic Team Trials, Friday, April 2, 2021, at Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, Texas.

Alexandra Hedrick

  • Weight: 57 kilograms

  • College: Simon Fraser

  • Club: Titan Mercury WC

  • Hometown: Fair Oaks, Calif.

  • Age: 23

2022 Senior National Team member. Second in the 2022 world team trials. 2022 U23 world bronze medalist. Two-time U23 world team member. 2021 Senior national champion. 2018 U.S. Open champion. Two-time Junior world team member. Two-time college national champion.

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Alexandra Hedrick is introduced before wrestling at 57 kg during the final session of the USA Wrestling World Team Trials Challenge Tournament on May 22 at Xtream Arena in Coralville.
Alexandra Hedrick is introduced before wrestling at 57 kg during the final session of the USA Wrestling World Team Trials Challenge Tournament on May 22 at Xtream Arena in Coralville.

Amanda Martinez

  • Weight: 57 kilograms

  • College: North Central College

  • Club: Cardinal Wrestling Club

  • Hometown: Riverside, Ill.

  • Age: 23

2022 Senior National Team member. 2021 U23 world team member. Two-time college All-American. Current assistant coach for the North Central College women's program.

Lexie Basham

  • Weight: 59 kilograms

  • College: Texas Wesleyan

  • Club: Spartan Mat Club

  • Hometown: Trophy Club, Texas

  • Age: 21

2022 Senior National Team member. Second in the 2022 world team trials. 2022 U23 world team member. 2022 NAIA national champion, the first in Texas Wesleyan history.

Michaela Beck

  • Weight: 59 kilograms

  • College: N/A

  • Club: Sunkist Kids

  • Hometown: New York, N.Y.

  • Age: 22

2021 U23 world team member. 2019 Senior world team trials finalist. 2019 Junior world team member. 2018 U.S. Open finalist.

Michaela Beck once wrestled for the Hawkeye Wrestling Club.
Michaela Beck once wrestled for the Hawkeye Wrestling Club.

Kayla Miracle

  • Weight: 62 kilograms

  • College: Campbellsville

  • Club: Sunkist Kids

  • Hometown: Culver, Ind.

  • Age: 26

Two-time Senior world silver medalist. 2020 Olympian. Three-time Senior World Team member. 2019 U23 world silver medalist. Two-time Junior world bronze medalist. 2012 Cadet world silver medalist. Four-time college national champion.

MORE:Olympian Kayla Miracle breaking barriers in wrestling and as LGBTQ+ pioneer

Kayla Miracle is a two-time Senior women's freestyle world silver medalist.
Kayla Miracle is a two-time Senior women's freestyle world silver medalist.

Jennifer Rogers Page

  • Weight: 62 kilograms

  • College: Oklahoma City

  • Club: Nittany Lion WC

  • Hometown: Orangevale, Calif.

  • Age: 29

Seven-time Senior National Team member. Four-time U.S. Open champion. 2013 Junior world bronze medalist.

Jennifer Page celebrates after winning the 62kg final during the USA Wrestling Senior National Championships, Saturday, Oct. 10, 2020, at the Xtream Arena in Coralville.
Jennifer Page celebrates after winning the 62kg final during the USA Wrestling Senior National Championships, Saturday, Oct. 10, 2020, at the Xtream Arena in Coralville.

Mallory Velte

  • Weight: 65 kilograms

  • College: Simon Fraser

  • Club: Beaver Dam RTC

  • Hometown: Sacramento, Calif.

  • Age: 27

Two-time Senior world bronze medalist. Three-time Senior World Team member. Two-time U.S. Open finalist. Two-time University Nationals champion. Finished fifth at the 2013 Junior world championships. Three-time college national champion.

Mallory Velte reacts after winning her third match at 65 kg during the final session of the USA Wrestling World Team Trials Challenge Tournament on May 22 at Xtream Arena in Coralville.
Mallory Velte reacts after winning her third match at 65 kg during the final session of the USA Wrestling World Team Trials Challenge Tournament on May 22 at Xtream Arena in Coralville.

Solin Piearcy

  • Weight: 68 kilograms

  • College: Menlo College

  • Club: Menlo WC

  • Hometown: San Jose, Calif.

  • Age: 24

2022 Senior National Team member. Finished third in the 2022 world team trials. 2021 Senior national champion. Three-time college All-American and 2019 college national champion.

Solin Piearcy, top, wrestles Rachel Watters at 68 kg during the third session of the USA Wrestling World Team Trials Challenge Tournament on May 22 at Xtream Arena in Coralville.
Solin Piearcy, top, wrestles Rachel Watters at 68 kg during the third session of the USA Wrestling World Team Trials Challenge Tournament on May 22 at Xtream Arena in Coralville.

Sienna Ramirez

  • Weight: 68 kilograms

  • College: Southern Oregon University

  • Club: Southern Oregon RTC

  • Hometown: Lakewood, Wash.

  • Age: 23

2022 U23 world team member. Second in the 2022 world team trials. 2022 U.S. Open champion. 2021 NAIA women's national champion, the first in Southern Oregon history.

Sienna Ramirez, right, reacts after her match at 68 kg during the final session of the USA Wrestling World Team Trials Challenge Tournament on May 22 at Xtream Arena in Coralville.
Sienna Ramirez, right, reacts after her match at 68 kg during the final session of the USA Wrestling World Team Trials Challenge Tournament on May 22 at Xtream Arena in Coralville.

Amit Elor

  • Weight: 72 kilograms

  • College: N/A (Horizons Independent High School)

  • Club: Titan Mercury WC

  • Hometown: Walnut Creek, Calif.

  • Age: 18

2022 Senior world champion. 2022 U23 world champion. Two-time Junior world champion. First U.S. wrestler ever to win three world titles in one year. Two-time Cadet world medalist, including gold in 2021. 2019 Cadet beach wrestling world champion.

MORE:Amit Elor, 18, becomes youngest American to win world wrestling title

Skylar Grote, left, and Amit Elor wrestle in a 72kg bout in the first round of Final X NYC wrestling at the Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden on June 8.
Skylar Grote, left, and Amit Elor wrestle in a 72kg bout in the first round of Final X NYC wrestling at the Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden on June 8.

Skylar Grote

  • Weight: 72 kilograms

  • College: Brock University

  • Club: Beaver Dam RTC

  • Hometown: Newton, N.J.

  • Age: 24

2022 Senior National Team member. 2022 U.S. Open champion. 2022 Pan-American Championship gold medalist. 2022 Matteo Pellicone Ranking Series champion.

Skylar Grote
Skylar Grote

Dymond Guilford

  • Weight: 76 kilograms

  • College: Missouri Baptist/Univ. of the Cumberlands

  • Club: Titan Mercury WC

  • Hometown: Lancaster, Calif.

  • Age: 23

2022 Senior World Team member. 2022 U23 world silver medalist. 2018 Junior world team member. Two-time U.S. Open champion. Two-time NAIA women's national champion.

Dymond Guilford, right, has her hand raised after scoring a technical fall against Victoria Francis at 76 kg during the third session of the USA Wrestling World Team Trials Challenge Tournament on May 22 at Xtream Arena in Coralville.
Dymond Guilford, right, has her hand raised after scoring a technical fall against Victoria Francis at 76 kg during the third session of the USA Wrestling World Team Trials Challenge Tournament on May 22 at Xtream Arena in Coralville.

Yelena Makoyed

  • Weight: 76 kilograms

  • College: North Central College

  • Club: Cardinal Wrestling Club

  • Hometown: Orangevale, Calif.

  • Age: 21

2022 Senior National Team member. Second in the 2022 world team trials. Third at the 2022 U.S. Open. Two-time women's college national champion and three-time national finalist.

Yelena Makoyed, right, took second in USA Wrestling's world team trials process in 2022.
Yelena Makoyed, right, took second in USA Wrestling's world team trials process in 2022.

Cody Goodwin covers wrestling and high school sports for the Des Moines Register. Follow him on Twitter at @codygoodwin.

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Meet USA's women's freestyle team for this week's Wrestling World Cup